Outrigger Relaunches Education and Loyalty Program With New Agent Enhancements

HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII — Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has announced several changes to its popular travel agent education and loyalty program that are designed to enhance the brand positioning and platform functionality for participating travel agents.

Introduced in 2009, the “Outrigger Specialist Program” has been renamed “Outrigger Expert Agent” to place greater focus on the travel agent’s achievements and expertise. While the “specialist” moniker is often applied to destination certification programs, the “expert” branding implies authority and resonates confidence among consumers, said Elizabeth “Ellie” Agustin, integrated marketing manager for Outrigger Enterprises Group.

The organization’s education and loyalty program has also been migrated to a new technology platform that provides a fresher, more visually rich training experience. In addition, the platform’s enhanced functionality now allows Outrigger Expert Agents to easily view their learning course history and offerings.

“This accessibility feature is something our agent members have been asking for and we’re quite proud to deliver on the commitment,” said Agustin. “The simpler navigation and clearer presentation of courses also make the portal more user-friendly. Internally, it gives us the ability to update the training materials more easily and quickly to make sure we always are offering the most current, accurate information to our Outrigger Expert Agents.”

Two special re-launch bonus promotions are being offered to certified Outrigger Expert Agents.

1) Double Learning Course Rewards* – The first bonus rewards Outrigger Expert Agents who complete any of the five optional learning courses and quizzes before January 31, 2014, with double Expert Reward Points – 100 Expert Reward Points compared to the standard 50 – on the following courses:

Oahu Island

Neighbor Island

Maui Island

Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji

Australia-to-Asia Pacific

In order to qualify for the bonus promotion, the travel agent must already be a certified Outrigger Hospitality Specialist or certify as an Outrigger Expert Agent prior to beginning the courses.

2) Outrigger Reef on the Beach Double Reward Points – Outrigger Expert Agents can also earn double reward points for qualified bookings made from October 15 to December 21, 2013, for client stays at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach from October 15 to December 21, 2013, and from April 28 to June 13, 2014.

Agustin said current certified Outrigger Hospitality Specialists will automatically be registered in the new program as Outrigger Expert Agents. They will be able to download a copy of a new certificate in their name with the new Outrigger Expert Agent logo. Other key components, such as booking procedures and Reward Points redemption, remain unchanged.

For more information about the Outrigger Expert Agent, go to www.outriggeragent.com or contact the Outrigger Expert Agent Help Desk at (808) 921-6807 (long distance charges apply).

Outrigger® Hotels and Resorts is rewarding travel agents around the world who book clients at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort with a $50 booking bonus. The bonus is valid on bookings of five consecutive nights or more made between August 1, 2013, and July 31, 2014, for travel dates from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2014. Read More >

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About Outrigger Enterprises Group

Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held global hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions. As part of its unique hospitality offering, the values-based company extends exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences at each of its properties worldwide. Guided by more than 67 years of family leadership, Outrigger runs a highly successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, beachfront resorts, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Resorts, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger®, OHANA® Hotels and Resorts, Embassy Suites®, Holiday Inn®, Best Western®, Wyndham Vacation Ownership® and Hilton Grand VacationsTM. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 45 properties with approximately 11,000 rooms located in Hawaii; Australia; Guam; Fiji; Thailand; Mauritius; Maldives; Vietnam; and Hainan Island, China. For online information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com.